The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has maintained that it will use the electronic voter identification system during the August 9 polls.
While responding to concerns raised by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, during a stakeholders meeting on Friday, June 24, IEBC chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, defended the Commission's decision stating that manual voter register was a loophole for election fraud.
However, he stated that there will be a complimentary voter system to complement the electronic one to help identify those who do not have fingerprints.
Chebukati added that the complementary system will also be used in the presence of agents.
"Biometric method is the primary mode of identifying voters. Where a voter cannot be identified using biometrics then the presiding officer will use a complimentary method of alpha numeric search before the agents.
"They will also have to fill a form before they are allowed to vote," he stated.
Earlier, the ODM boss tasked the Azimio National Executive Council (NEC) with evaluating the electronic voter identification system to be used by the IEBC.
The Azimio team had expressed fears that many voters would be locked out of the polls as some lack fingerprints.
"We would want the electronic voter identification because it minimises theft of votes but previously we have seen where the system has failed.
"We have a concern that kit will not be different this time round," ODM chairman, John Mbadi, stated.
Nonetheless, the High Court directed IEBC to ensure that loopholes in voter identification are sealed to avoid disputes after the August 9 election.
The Commission is expected to meet with presidential candidates on Wednesday next week to discuss the issue further.
Bomas of Kenya on Monday, May 23, 2022
